1874 Northwich vs Cheadle Town

Recap

1874 Northwich hit Cheadle Town for four at Barton Stadium extending their winning run to four games in which they have not conceded a goal.

Despite the first goal scoring opportunity falling to Rick Bailey whose shot from distance only just cleared the Cheadle cross bar, it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges without really threatening the 1874 goal. The nearest they came to scoring was in the 15th minute when Ben Brooks broke away from the 1874 defence only to be brought down on the right flank by Matt Conkie. Conkie was shown a yellow card but thenr did well to tip the ensuing free kick round the post.

1874 started to gain the upper hand with Daley Woods and Matty Ward both going close to scoring before the deadlock was broken in the 37th minute. Racing onto a Ward pass, Bailey, in the act of shooting, was brought down in the area by Cheadle’s Ben Roberts, and as the Cheadle defender was making his way to the changing room having received a red card, Ward converted the spot kick sending the Cheadle goalkeeper the wrong way.

The team celebrate Matt Wards sucessful penalty – Image Matt Draycott

1874 doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time. A surging run through mid field by Lee Jones ended with the captain passing out wide to Woods whose cross from the left wing was met by Mike Brandon who headed home his 21st goal of the season.

Playing against ten men 1874 dominated the second half with Stuart Wellstead, Brandon, and Bailey all going close to scoring before Ryan Mitchell scored his first goal for the club, heading home from close range in the 70th minute after Brandon’s initial header was saved by Stephen Piggot, but the Cheadle keeper was unable to hold onto the ball allowing Mitchell to nip in and score.

Two minutes later Woods scored 1874’s 4th goal with a superb flick at the near post from a Wellstead free kick.

In the later stages of the game Lee Duckworth, Bailey (twice) and Brandon went close to adding a 5th goal to 1874’s tally, before Cheadle, who had not troubled the 1874 goal all half, saw a header cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble following a last minute corner.

1874 – Conkie, Mitchell, Duckworth, Farnworth, Thomas, Bailey, Woods (McGregor 76 mins), Jones, Brandon, Ward, Wellstead (Crane 83mins)– subs not used Morano, Bowyer.

Goals – Ward (37 pen) Brandon (45) Mitchell (70) Woods (72)

CHEADLE – Piggott, Smallwood, Roberts (sent off 37mins), J.Walley, Armstrong, P.Walley (Rhodes 73mins), Connolly (McCrohan 62mins), Trucca, Brooks (McGreevy 76mins), Nolan, Pearson.

Attendance 249

Sponsors man of the match – Matty Ward